Restoration Begins on PS Network

  • Sony apologies again for delay
  • Aussie and NZ first to get restoration
  • Customers to get ‘sorry’ package

Sony has begun a phased restoration by region of PlayStation Network and Qriocity Services.  The phased restoration will be on a country by country basis beginning in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Middle East.

The first phase of restored services for these countries and regions will include:

  • Sign-in for PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, including the resetting of passwords.
  • Restoration of online game-play across PS3 and PSP.
  • Playback rental video content, if within rental period, of PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service on PS3, PSP and MediaGo.
  • Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, for current subscribers, on PS3 and PC
  • Access to 3rd party services such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and MLB.tv.
  • ‘Friends’ category on PS3, including Friends List, Chat Functionality, Trophy Comparison, etc
  • PlayStation Home

As the result of a criminal cyber attack on the company’s data-centre in San Diego, the firm shut down the PS Network and Qriocity services on April 20, in order for the company to undergo an investigation and make enhancements to the overall security of the network infrastructure.  Working closely with several security firms, the company has implemented new and additional security measures that are claimed to strengthen safeguards against unauthorised activity.

Security revisions include updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring and penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption and additional firewalls.  The company also added a variety of other measures to the network infrastructure including an early-warning system for unusual activity patterns that could signal an attempt to compromise the network.

As an additional measure, Fumiaki Sakai, president of Sony Global Solutions Inc. (SGS), has been appointed acting Chief Information Security Officer of SNEI

Phased restoration in Japan and other Asian countries and regions will be announced in due course. The company expects to have the services fully restored by the end of May 2011. 

The company will be offering customers a “Welcome Back” package of services and premium content to all registered PlayStation Network and Qriocity account services.  The details of this program will be announced in each region shortly, with a date of May 31 being touted as the day when everything should be up and running.